book reviews Chapters 7 through 10 provide a compact and readable introduction to the underlying molecular principles governing the physical behavior of high polymers. The material is so presented as to serve as a. highly adequate introduction for the novice in the field of the mechanical properties of high polymers. A successful effort has been msde to emphasize the qualittttive factors of analysis which-are so necessary for a thorough comprehension of the phenomena of polymer action. Furthermore, and of equal importance, the quantitative aspects of molecular behavior have not been neglected. The accepted theories and ideas pertaining to polymer behavior are presented in a lucid and logical manner in these four chapters. Of the remaining five chapters, four cover various topics of importance in the synthesis and fabrication of polymers. Chapter 11 presents a useful, albeit for the most part qualitative, discussion on the degradation and stabilization of high polymers. The 12th chapter is a general review of fabrication processes. The one-, two-, and threedimensions1 processes are covered in an adequate fashion. Chapters 13 and 14 present a comprehensive review of the commercid modes and techniques used in polymer synthesis. The former chapter covers additional polymers synthesized by radial and ionic mechanisms. Emulsion, anionic and cationic systems are covered with examples given of both homogeneous and heterophase polymerizetions. Chapter 14, on the other hand, is s. presentation of condensation polymerization techniques and procedures. The find chapter is a very short discussion on the analysis and identificsr tion of polymeric materials. As a result of its brevitv. .. this last c h a ~ t e rcan only serve as a reference source for this topic. The book contains a useful appendix ss well es many useful problems with each chapter. This volume appears to be a fine text for engineering students but should not be mistaken as a text for the organic and physical chemistry of high polymers.
L. J. FETTERS Institute of Polymer Science The University of Akron Akron, Ohio 44504
Electrochemistry
J . Koryta, J . Dvwak, and V.Bohackooa, Charles University, Prague, Czechoslovakia. Methuen & Co. Ltd., London, 1970. xv 350 pp. Figs. and tables. 24 X 16.5 cm. $16.75.
+
This hook is inbended to introduce the reader to "the principles of modern'electrochemistry" at a level which will enable him to undertake fruitfully a study of advanced monographs and original papers on electrochemical subjects. The purpose
A782
/
Journal o f Chemical Education
of the hook, therefore, is to provide a or semiconductors) in a contaminationtextbook treatment of modern electrofree and otherwise satisfactory manner. chemistry which is suitable for students One is given the impression that no work either in their final year of BS, or in their has been done on the Kolbe reaction since 1849! This criticism is particularly serious first year of graduate studies in an eledrochernicdly-oriented research ares. The in view oi the fact bhat Professor Fleischauthors represent a distinniished group of msnn, the initiator of the English tranulainvestigaton from the famous Csechotion of the hook, is a leading authority on slovak school of eleetrochemistry. The the modern work on the Kolbe reaction book is the English translation, revised which, ineidently, is the most thoroughly and significantly "modernized," of the examined eleetro-organic process. One could cite many more examples of the original Czechoslovak edition puhhhed foregoing type of superficial and out of in Prague in 1966. The book consists of four chapters. The date treatments of the kinetics of electrode reactions which partly arises, it is believed, first chapter (82 pages) deals with some aspects of electrolyte solut,ions, e.g., ion from the authors' attempt, without being solvation, electrolytic dissociation, theory selective, to condense an immense field oi strong electrolytes, acids and bases, into a few pages. An important general some special equilibria in electrolyte soomission, which &likely to make this hook lutions, and, molten salts. The second unpalatable to many readers, is the oomchapter (55 pages) discusses transport plete absence of information a n t,echnologiphenomena in electrolyte d u t i o n s and is c d applications and hence social impact of electrochemistry, which can easily be thus concerned with m%tterssuch as transdemonstrated to be considerable, even fer of electric ourrent through electrolyte monumental. solutions and diffusion snd convection This book is a fair attempt al. presenting effects. The third chapter (104 pages) treates equilibrium properties of electrified electrochemistry in terms not quite as modern and up-to-date as the aututhors interfaces, most of the discussion heing would like one to believe. This book devoted to the classical topics of thermacould have been a good candidate for dynamics and emf of galvanic cells and acquisition had the far-better book (two related considerations, and, with only a relatively brief treatment of double layers. volumes) by Bockris and Reddy not apIn the last chanter (79 nares). .. which is peared on the market last year. Avail~ h i n w dr h s v e h m ~ ~ . ~ ~ trp-nriiirr. p l ~ . l ~ l ~atility of this hook in the college library i r rlir i.:t~~l!.~h tdttim, llw 311111nr' rnHiQ may he merited, however, by the fact that nr. e l I stlctnpl ar the authors represent a leading school of compressing a vast subjeot, namely, kimodern electrochemical thought. netics of electrode reactions, within a few ASHOKVIJH pages. The book also contains four apNational Institute of Scientific Research pendices and the usual author and sub~niversiiyof Quebec ject indexes. Va'aranes, P.Q., Canada The treatment of topics in the first three chapters is fairly goad although certain sections in these chapters would merit more adequate discussions than presented, sg., sections on molten electrolytes, concept of electrode reversihility, structzlre of the metal-electrolyte interphase especially in relation to reactant Molecular Biology of the Gene adsorption, and electrical double layers at semiconductor-electrolyte interfaces. The J . D. Watson, Harvard University and bulk of the subjects in these chapters Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. 2nd pertain, however, to matters which are ed. W. A. Benjamin, Inc., New Yark, classical and part of "old" electrochem1970. xxi 662 pp. Figs. and istry and have been very well treated in the tables. 22.7 X 15 em. Clothbound, books published over the past several $17.50; paperbound, 810.05. years. Since the publicat.ion af the first edition The kinetics of electrode reactions, disin 1965, Watson's molecular Biology of cussed in the Last chapter, and which tothe Gene" has been an extremely useful gether with the subject of the electrode tool for students in the areas of molecular double layer, is generally regarded as the main stream of modern electrochemistry, biology, cell biology, genetics, and hiohas received altogether inadequate ruttenchemistry. The second edition of this tion in this book. The treatment context retains the same format and informal tains, however, well-written sections on style of the original edition, snd in fact the chemical physics of the charge transfer tbe first 300 pages (nine chapters) of the event at an electrode surface and the new edition are identical to the original. Molecular biology is one of the most theory of electrode reactions limited by rapidly changing of all areas of scientific mass transport. Most of the rest of the content,^ in this chapter invite a variety of inquiry. Professor Watson has attempted criticism. The subjects of 'celectrocatalyto keep abreast of these changes and to sis" a i d "inhibition of electrode probring them into proper focus by rewriting cesses," which constitute a vital part of the chapters devoted to virus replication, modern electrochemistry, hzve been the regulations of protein synthesis, cell differentiation, a i d cancer. I n addition, treated too slightly and the discussions are out of date. The section on the preparahe has added two entirely new chapters. tion of electrodes is meaningless since it One of these covers embryology a t the gives no information on the dl-important molecular level, and discusses cell differenproblem of mounting solid electrodes tiation and model systems, tissue culture, (either noble metals or non-noble metals (Cmtinued on page A784)
.
+
book reviews cloning, and division and fusion. The second new ehzpter is devoted to antibody synthesis and includes discussions on the origin of antibody chains, specificity, site of antibody synthesis, and immunological tolerance, among other topics. The text is easily readable and is well illustrated. It contains a glossary of terms often encountered in molecnlar biology, thus making it very useful for the beginning student. Each chapter contains a list of general references which further increase the usefulness of the hook. In summary, the second edition of "Molecular Biology of the Gene" is an excellent attempt to present the newest topics in the emerging area of molecular biology, and in related areas, in an easyto-read and easy-ta-understand format. I t would be a valusblble addition to the library of any individual interested in these areas. CHARLESL. BORDERS, JR. The College of Wooster Wooder, Ohio 44681
Dietary Chemicals vr. Dental Caries. Advances in Chemistry Series no. 94
Edited by Robert F. Gould. Based on a symposium sponsored by the Agricultural and Food Chemistry Division at the 1966 Winter Meeting of the American Chemical Society. American Chemical Society, Washington, 1). C., 186 pp. Figs. and tables. 1970. vi 23.5 X 16cm. $9.
+
Few sufferers from dental caries realize the complexity of the processes involved in its production. Each individual carious lesion represents an individual event. This is so because caries results from the interaction of the surface of a. tooth whose farm and composition were determined by the metabolic state of the bearer of the tooth a t the time of its formation with the particular fluids, foods, and bacteria present in the mouth at the time the lesion forms. Dietary factors while the toothis forming are thus of importance, since they determine the chemical composition and morphological structure of the tooth. Even more important are the local factors a t the tooth surface when the attack begins. These factors are the subject of this book. I t contains the papers presented a t a symposium held in 1966, hut they have been updated to early or mid-1970 and therefore present rtn excellent overview of the present state of this field. The authors are all authorities in their subjects. The papers discuss the effects of types of foods, vitamins, antibiotics, organic compounds, fluorides, calcium, phosphorus, and various trace minerals. all factors which have been shown either to reduce or increase the amount of caries or the rate of its production. The emphasis throughout is on the chemistry and biochemistry of the pracesses considered. The book serves as an excellent introduction to and general picture of the subject for a non-dental
A784
/
Journal of Chemical Education
scientist, while the extensive references open the whole field to anyone interested in going more deeply into the matters. If the book does nothing else, it reveals the great number of factors involved in this, the commonest disease of modern man. HENRYM. LEICESTXR SehDol of Dentistry University of the Pacific San Francisco, Calif.
Physics Demonstration Volumes I and 11
Experiments.
Edited by Harry F. Meinera. The Ronald Press Co., New York, 1970. 1493 pp. Figs. and tables. 28 X 21 cm. $30. Editor Meiners, owdirector Robert Resnick, a committee of six physicists and a considerable staff have produced a work that is encyclopaedic both in scope and in physical dimensions. The major part comprises over 1200 journal-sized pages describing s multitude of demonstrations involving concepts drawn from all areas of physics and of widely varying degrees of sophistication. The apparatus needed ranges from (literally) household csst-offs to some requiring s. considerable amount of careful construction. Full details for the fabrication of the mare complicated devices are provided, wisely, as an appendix. In compiling these volumes, the editor visited over 100 institutions in the USA, and others overseas. The existing literature and commercial equipment was surveyed. Given the comprehensive nature of the work, one imagines thst any teacher who uses physics demonstrations for classes at any level will want to have a copy available. Some lecturers will use these demonstrations a7 a point of departure for their own ingenious modifications. Others of us will be glad enough to have the kind of cook book we would not prescribe for our students. Even the latter group has an outlet far the imagination, however, for each demonstrittion must be integrated into the rest of the presentation. The teacher must find wavs to brine out rhc ron..rl.rs the exprriment is suppoivd to illuitrnlr liwe the dewripti, n- d !he euperlment>l u r e little toaby In.1 the bmrk opens with a series of essays directed to the purposes and methods of the lecture demonstration. This section presents many stimulating suggestions and by no means a unified point of view. Eric Rogers, in a careful discussion d different goals for demonstrations suggests the value of same experiments simple enough to be taken home. Gerald Holton, also advocating a departure from the "special" nature of most demonstration equipment, suggests the occasional showing of real, working research apparatus, even though the hesio physical concepts may not be so readily exposed. Sir Lawrence Bragg describes the long tradition at the Royal Institution of very carefully prepared lectures using special demonstrations built by a highly skilled staff.
The book is completed by s. series of essays on special techniques such as films, closed circuit television, shadow and overhead projection and stroboscopio effects. These articles and those on purposes should have an interest far beyond the physics community. Two quibbles might he made. I t was decided to omit experiments described in an earlier A. A. P . T. compilation, "Demonstrstion Experiments in Physics" (R. M. Sutton, editor; McGraw-Hill, New York, 1938) unless "significant modifications were made since publication in 1938." Since Sutton's book is now out of print same experiments of interest (perhaps the simplest have aged best) will not be avsilable to many readers. Components have often been specified as the particulsr product used by the institution that developed the apparatus. In the case of experiments designed overseas that usudly means products which may be difficult or impossible for an American purchsser to obtain. Such readers would find a designation of s. suitable domestic product very helpful. The experiments me illustrated by photographs and line drawings. It appears thst these and the instructions are clear and complete enough to enable the teacher to reproduce the equipment. That particular pudding, however, this reviewer has not yet had time to prove. These two volumes will doubtless prove indispensible to the physics teacher. Chemists will find the general essays and the experiments in the Heat and Atomic Physics sections of interest and use. Perhaps they will also take to their armchairs, leaf through the volumes and enjoy the enduring aesthetic appeal of a. neat experiment. CHRISTOPHER L. BOUNDS Department of Physics College o j Wooster Wooster, Ohio 44681
John Dalton and the Atom
Frank Greenaway, Science Museum, Kensington, London. Cornell University Press, Ithics, N. Y., 1966. viii 244 pp. Figs. 14 X 21 cm. $7.50.
+
(48. A118, Recently THIS JOURNAL (1971)) carried a review of Elizabeth Patterson's "John Dalton and the Atomic Theory" (1970), whose title is practically identical with that of the book presently under review. Obviously these books duplicate much of the material but in the broad sense they supplement each other sinoe the Patterson book deals with the human side of Dalton predominantly, whereas the somewhat older Greenaway volume stresses pmticularly the chemical and philosophical sspects of his achievements. However, Greenaway in 1958-59 had already published "The Biographical Approach to John Dalton" and obviously saw no need to repeat himself unduly. The Prtttersan hook was directed at the general reader while Greenaway was in (Catinued a page A788)
